Description
This Cheesy Pepperoni Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a family dinner. Layers of penne pasta, marinara sauce, three types of cheese, and pepperoni are baked until bubbly and golden brown.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta
Cheese Mixture:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Sauce:
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Toppings:
- 6 oz sliced pepperoni
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, mix marinara sauce, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir in cooked pasta, half of the mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and half of the pepperoni.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the mixture to a baking dish. Top with remaining cheeses and pepperoni. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown. Rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil or parsley.
Notes
- For a meatier version, add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage.
- Use turkey or plant-based pepperoni for a lighter/vegetarian option.
- This dish can be assembled ahead and baked later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of bake
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
